Savannah Houts going for a spike (Daisy Riley / The Puma Prensa)
By Daisy Riley, Staff Writer
From attacking the ball to intercepting passes or shooting three-pointers, senior Savannah Houts has repeatedly shown her athleticism in her impressive excellence as a three sport student athlete. On Maria Carrillo High School’s varsity volleyball team, Houts plays outside hitter, while on Carrillo's flag football team, she plays wide receiver and cornerback, and on the varsity basketball team, she plays shooting guard.
Although sports can require diligence through personal struggle and responsibility, “playing sports has taught me a lot about discipline, teamwork, and pushing through challenges.” Houts also emphasized the meaningful connections and memories developed from athletics, describing her favorite part as the supportive people who constantly push her to grow.
Emma Fitzke, a teammate and close friend of Houts, describes her as “a welcoming and comfortable person” who is dependable, persistent, and “not only an amazing athlete, but also such a great teammate and person.” During Houts’ junior year basketball season, their friendship blossomed pushing their chemistry on the court.
Senior Margarita Marron, who plays on the flag football team alongside Houts, stated that “it is always a great time talking with her because we relate so much.” This connection between the two shines directly on and off the field with their chemistry helping their entire team.
Winning or losing, she stays dedicated to her sports, acknowledging that, because this is her last year of high school athletics, she wanted to leave “knowing I gave everything I had, and accomplished the most I could.”
No matter if Houts is serving groundshattering aces, intercepting passes, making insane three pointers or creating a loving space for those around her, she conveys every characteristic of a prominent student athlete. As she continues her sports throughout the course of her senior year, her leadership, competitive spirit, and grit both on and off the field will foster a thriving future for Houts. For the devotion Houts has put into Maria Carrillo’s athletic department, the Puma Prensa recognizes Savannah Houts as Athlete Of the Week for October 19, 2026.